Oris' New Limited-Edition Watch Is More Than Just a Pretty Face

Sustainability, and everything related to it, is something that luxury brands have jumped on recently. From improving production to lessening waste and downright transparency when it comes to proper methods, it's a conversation that needs to be had. And one of those spearheading the initiative is Oris.

Photo by Oris.

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The team behind the Swiss brand has pledged to clean, protect, and restore the world's oceans by "turning trash into treasure." It's an alarming topic especially since according to the Pacific Garbage Screening, "Every minute, a whole garbage truck full of plastic garbage gets into the oceans somewhere in the world."

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For years, Oris has supported conservation programs and it's most recent has been through The Oceans Project which raises awareness and funds. And now, through the Ocean Trilogy, Oris is doing more with waste. With the watch set, waste is upcycled to create the presentation box's outer shell. The whole process begins with used plastic bottles which, in turn, are shredded and pressed into unique panels.

Photo by Oris.

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The watches themselves support the ocean and conservation. Released at Baselworld 2019, the Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition III and Clean Ocean Limited Edition champion coral reefs and ocean clean-up. The latest to be released—the Blue Whale Limited Edition—was created in partnership with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDSC) for the blue whale.

While the other watches in the trilogy were produced on a larger scale, 2,000 pieces to be exact, the Blue Whale is a much more limited release with only 200 pieces. It features a stainless steel case that's 45.5 mm in diameter and is water-resistant to 500 meters. Continuing the ocean theme, the Blue Whale Limited Edition has an aqua blue ceramic bezel and matching dial. The chronograph is the first in the Aquis line to feature a 3, 6, and 9 dial layout.

Photo by Oris.

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"We've been very intentional about our mission to bring change for the better," says Oris co-chief executive Rolf Studer. "The environmental challenges the world faces are real, and we believe that both individuals and corporate entities have a responsibility to overcome them. The Blue Whale Limited Edition is a very special watch, produced in unusually small quantities for Oris, and the perfect symbol of the dangers facing the blue whale. We’re extremely proud to be working with Whale and Dolphin Conservation and look forward to seeing the change our partnership will bring."